Sunlight and fog: UPDATED: Coastal Maine defenders v. global aquaculture investors and their local allies seeking to close more Commons.

Jim Merkel speaking on LD 586

    Below, listen to one of two  great battles that took place March 16, 2023 as state legislators were called on to bring the Maine Dept of Marine Resources' incompetent Aquaculture Division back to its senses  Listen to five supporters and ten opponents of   LD 586 An Act to Protect Maine Fisheries from the Effects of Industrial Recirculating Aquaculture Operations.  

PUBLIC HEARING START

* Committee introduction & Intro of bill  LD 586 by Senator  Ann Beebe-Center 3min 20sec

SUPPORTERS

* Jim Merkel, and questions from legislators. 16min35sec

* Matt Connon Sierra Club 6min 20sec.

* Rep Janice Dodge, Belfast. 3min 9sec

* Holly Faubel, 8min 38sec

* Lawrence Reichard 3min 15sec

. 

OPPONENTS

* Bill Milliken _frmr_select_Jonesport 7min

* Harry Fish, Jonesport select & questions 9min

* Mark Zimmerman Mook Sea Farms  5min34sec

* Dierdre Gilbert DMR Director of Policy and Management 7min

* Island Institute 3min 30sec

* John Shaw  shellfish aquaculturist, Damariscotta River  5min 40sec

* Sara Rademaker American Imagi 5min 51sec

* Greg Lambert Cooke Aquaculture 4min 17 sec

* Tim Harder Skretting (feed) 2min47sec

* Sebastian Belle MAA. 3min30sec

*

BILL SUMMARY "This bill directs the Department of Marine Resources to ensure that new industrial recirculating aquaculture operations do not contribute to the degradation of water quality or air quality or increase the State's overall carbon emissions and that aquaculture feed sources do not include certain wild marine organisms, pollutants and contaminants. The department must also ensure that industrial recirculating aquaculture operations do not adversely impact native lobster, shellfish, seaweed or finfish operations"